I wish you a sparkling New Year!

In just a few days 2014 will end.

Happy New Year to all my blog visitors!

All over the world people will celebrate the arrival of the new year with sparkling wine, amazing fireworks, women dressing in sparkling dresses and using glittered accessories and shiny jewels. Why do we love things that shine so much? It seems that people are drawn to shiny things! There's a theory saying that's about survival. Those people were drawn to shinny water from the beginning of times! Or maybe because it's associated with wealth and power, right?! But then children also like it, so it may be not...Well, I gathered a few examples of things that glitter. Some are beautiful and some are just maybe a bit quirky. Have a look!

1. A Mercedes that glitter all over!

This Mercedes has been making all the news headlines recently. The owner of this car decided to spend £20,000 adding one million Swarovski crystals to the surface! Driving through London(Knightsbridge) the sparkling exterior turns heads wherever it goes.

2. Michael Jackson's Glove!

Julien's Auctions, 2010 - Michael Jackson memorabilia - the last autograph Michael signed before his untimely passing, and one of his trademark gloves, the sparkling glove, worn on the Victory tour.

3. Heidi Klum's diamond bikini!

In 2003, Heidi Klum was awarded her 3rd Fantasy Bra, the “Very Sexy Fantasy Bra".The bra took 370 hours to create and featured a 70-carat diamond in the center, the second largest in the world. If you want to check some more sparkling bikini creations follow this link!

4. Marilyn's Happy Birthday Mr. President sparkling dress

This image is from TV screen shot - Wikipedia

In 1962, Marilyn Monore sung Happy Birthday for President John F. Kennedy at a celebration of his forty-fifth birthday wearing a fantastic sparkling dress. The event was a fundraising gala for the Democratic Party. Bill Ray discusses the story behind the photo he made- not the one above - in a short video, here.

5. Diamonds are a girl's best friend! Sparkling jewelry has fascinated women and maybe men alike since ever. Next time you visit an art museum look for amazing jewelry in old paintings like the diamond diadem and crown worn by Empress Joséphine to her coronation in 1804. "Coronation of Napoléon" - Jacques Louis David, 1808. Photo: Musée Louvre.

Some of you may remember a dazzling Bulgari emerald and diamond necklace, a gift from the fifth husband, Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor, in 1962. The glittering collection of this movie star was on the news recently (2013) on when 300 glorious pieces went on display at London auction house Christie's. I had no idea that some pieces were designed by Taylor herself in partnership with Cartier, her favorite.

Another example of tradition and beauty in jewelry. Faberge House of Jewellery has been making exquisite pieces since the 1800s.

6. New Year's Eve fireworks! New Year's Eve is celebrated at evening social gatherings and fireworks all over the world. Each year I always try to catch the spectacular midnight fireworks display at Sydney ...on my TV, of course! New Year’s Eve fireworks are awesome and renowned globally as one of the most spectacular light events in the world. London, Taipei, Rio or New York also have great displays of glittering lights in the sky.

7. Sparkling wine
Sparkling wine bottles being open is a sound that I like. It means party. I have already one bottle of "espumante" ready for the last night of the year!! But..do you know the difference between Espumante = Sparkling Wine and Champagne? The easy answer for you: Champagne is only made in the region of Champagne, France. Champagne is sparkling wine. It has bubbles. But not all sparkling wine is Champagne. French produce sparkling wines like Brut Royal, Boyer Brut or Kriter. Italy also has espumante labels - Asti Spumante is made from the muscat grape. Gancia, Cinzano is Italian sparkling wines brands. From Spain, you have Freixenet and Cordoniu and from my country, Portugal, you have Murganheira or Raposeira, many brands available.

8. Sparkling DIY items for New Year's Eve crafts fans!

- Take the last photo of the year in front of an amazing background!
- Don't forget to wear a glittering hat!
- Light up some New Year's Eve candles!
- Dress your bottles in gold!
- Glittering champagne glasses are perfect for the special toast!

9. ...and a few glitter and sparkle gifts suggestions from Zazzle! (Maybe for a friend who has her birthday on the last day of the year?)